Patent EP0520179A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0520179A2
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EP
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Autostereoscopic photography system with electronically interpolated images
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-05-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-05-18
Abstract
Abstract An integral, autostereoscopic three-dimensional image suitable for lenticular display (60) is generated from a plurality of image perspectives by interpolating additional images from hypothetical perspectives, as follows. Initially, actual image signals are generated from a plurality of actual images (22) obtained from a plurality of actual image perspectives. The additional images (24) are obtained by operating upon the actual image signals and forming interpolated image signals from hypothetical image perspectives. Finally, an integral three-dimensional image is generated from the combination of images obtained from the actual image perspectives and the hypothetical image perspectives, and is suitably displayed. According to one suitable display, the integral image may be exposed upon a photosensitive sheet that is attached to a lenticular faceplate for subsequent viewing.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Y. C/O Eastman Kodak Company Taylor
- 👤 Scott B. c/o EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Chase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; H04N1/00185; H04N1/00201; H04N1/23; H04N13/00; H04N13/10; H04N13/106; H04N13/111; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/207; H04N13/221; H04N13/243; H04N13/282; H04N13/30; H04N13/302; H04N13/305; H04N13/349; H04N13/189; H04N13/229; H04N13/232; H04N13/239; H04N13/257; H04N13/286; H04N13/296; H04N13/307; H04N13/324; H04N13/327; H04N13/363; H04N13/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for generating an integral three-dimensional image from a plurality of image perspectives, said method comprising the steps of: generating actual image signals from a plurality of actual images obtained from a plurality of actual image perspectives; interpolating additional images by operating upon actual image signals to form interpolated image signals obtained from hypothetical image perspectives that are spatially interposed between the actual image perspectives; and generating an integral three-dimensional image from the combination of images obtained from the actual image perspectives and the hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of generating actual image signals comprises the steps of: producing a plurality of actual images from a plurality of image perspectives; and converting the actually-produced images into image signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of generating an integral three-dimensional image comprises the steps of: generating a composite print file composed of actual image signals and interpolated image signals; printing the image represented by the composite print file upon photosensitive material; and assembling a lenticular display from the combination of the photosensitive material and a lenticular sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of printing the image represented by the composite print file comprises: generating a visible display from the composite print file; and optically directing the visible display upon the photosensitive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of printing the image represented by the composite print file comprises electronically scan printing the photosensitive material with a light beam that varies in correspondence to the signals in the composite print file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of printing the image represented by the composite print file comprises generating a video signal from the print file, producing a video display from the video signal, and optically exposing the photosensitive material to the video display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of printing the image represented by the composite file comprises scanning the photosensitive material with a laser beam that is modulated in correspondence to the signals in the composite print file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of assembling a lenticular display comprises affixing a lenticular faceplate to transparent photosensitive material for transmissive viewing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of assembling a lenticular display comprises affixing a lenticular faceplate to a photosensitive material having a reflective underlayer for viewing by reflected light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of producing a plurality of actual images produces a plurality of photographic transparencies and the step of converting the actually-produced images into image signals comprises scanning the transparencies with a scanning beam to generate the image signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a plurality of conventional photographic cameras which record substantially planar representations of the images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a plurality of electronic cameras which utilize electronic image sensors to record substantially planar representations of images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single photographic camera having plural optical sections offset from each other to record substantially planar representations of plural images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single electronic camera having plural optical sections offset from each other to record substantially planar representations of plural images.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single photographic camera movably supported for positioning in a plurality of camera positions corresponding to the actual image perspectives to record substantially planar representations of the plural images from the actual image perspectives.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of producing a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single electronic camera movably supported for positioning in a plurality of camera positions corresponding to the actual image perspectives to record substantially planar representations of the plural images from the actual image perspectives.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actual image signals are digital representations of data from computer files, said digital representations corresponding to actual designations of image points in a computer-generated image as viewed from a plurality of designated image perspectives.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of interpolating additional images comprises detecting edges of image features and utilizing the detected edge locations to interpolate between the actual images to obtain additional images from hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of interpolating additional images comprises characterizing the changes in successive images as velocity vector fields in order to represent the changes in picture position due to a camera location between actual image perspectives, and utilizing the vector fields to interpolate between images to obtain additional images from hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an integral image includes printing the integral image upon a photosensitive material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said step of generating an integral image further comprises projecting said combination of images through a lenticular faceplate upon the photosensitive material, thereby exposing the photosensitive material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said step of generating an integral image further comprises adding a lenticular faceplate to the photosensitive material for viewing the integral image.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for generating an integral three-dimensional image suitable for display through a lenticular faceplate, having a predetermined lenticular pitch, from a plurality of image perspectives, said method comprising the steps of: acquiring a plurality of actual images from a plurality of actual image perspectives at substantially the same point in time, said actual image perspectives being separated in distance as a function of the lenticular pitch; converting the plurality of actual images into actual digital image signals; interpolating digital image signals by operating upon actual digital image signals to form interpolated digital image signals representing interpolated images taken from hypothetical image perspectives that are spatially interposed between the actual image perspectives; generating a composite print file from the combination of actual and interpolated digital image signals taken from the actual and hypothetical image perspectives; and printing an integral image suitable for lenticular viewing upon photosensitive material in response to the digital signals stored in the composite print file.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of printing an integral image further comprises affixing the photosensitive material to a lenticular faceplate having an array of generally convex refractive optical surfaces formed on the display side thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of printing an integral image comprises: generating a visible display from the composite print file; and optically directing the visible display upon the photosensitive material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of printing an integral image comprises electronically scanning the photosensitive material with a light beam that varies in correspondence to the signals in the composite print file.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of printing an integral image comprises scanning the photosensitive material with a laser beam that is modulated in correspondence to the signals in the composite print file.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a plurality of conventional photographic cameras which record substantially planar representations of the images.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a plurality of electronic cameras which utilize electronic image sensors to record substantially planar representations of images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single photographic camera having plural optical sections offset from each other to record substantially planar representations of plural images.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single electronic camera having plural optical sections offset from each other to record substantially planar representations of plural images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single photographic camera movably supported for positioning in a plurality of camera positions corresponding to the actual image perspectives to record substantially planar representations of the plural images from the actual image perspectives.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of acquiring a plurality of actual images comprises producing a plurality of images with a single electronic camera movably supported for positioning in a plurality of camera positions corresponding to the actual image perspectives to record substantially planar representations of the plural images from the actual image perspectives.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said actual digital image signals are digital representations of data from computer files, said digital representations corresponding to actual designations of image points in a computer-generated image as viewed from a plurality of designated image perspectives.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of interpolating digital image signals comprises detecting image features and utilizing the detected feature locations to interpolate between the actual images to obtain additional images from hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step of interpolating digital image signals comprises characterizing the changes in successive images as velocity vector fields in order to represent the changes in picture position due to camera location between actual image perspectives, and utilizing the vector fields to interpolate between images to obtain additional images from hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for generating an integral three-dimensional image of an object viewed from a plurality of image perspectives, said integral image suitable for lenticular display through a lenticular faceplate, said apparatus comprising: means for generating actual image signals from a plurality of actual images obtained from a plurality of actual image perspectives; means for interpolating additional images by operating upon actual image signals from spatially separated actual images to form interpolated image signals obtained from hypothetical image perspectives that are spatially interposed between the spatially separated, actual image perspectives; and means for generating an integral three-dimensional image from the combination of actual image signals and interpolated image signals obtained from the actual image perspectives and the hypothetical image perspectives.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein said means for generating actual image signals comprises: means employing at least one optical system for producing a plurality of actual images from the object as viewed from a plurality of image perspectives; and means for converting the actually-produced images into image signals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein said means for generating an integral three-dimensional image comprises: means for generating a composite print file composed of actual image signals and interpolated image signals, the combination thereof representative of an integral image; means for printing the integral image upon photosensitive material in response to signals in the composite print file; and means for forming an integral assemblage comprising the combination of the photosensitive material and a lenticular faceplate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein said means for printing the integral image comprises means for electronically scanning the photosensitive material with a light beam that varies in correspondence to the signals in the composite print file.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein said means for producing a plurality of actual images includes a plurality of conventional photographic cameras which utilize film to record substantially planar representations of the images.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein said means for producing a plurality of images includes a plurality of electronic cameras which utilize electronic image sensors to record substantially planar representations of images.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein said means for producing a plurality of images comprises a single camera having plural optical sections offset from each other to record substantially planar representations of plural images.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein said means for producing a plurality of images comprises a single camera and means for movably supporting said single camera in each of the actual image perspectives.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein said means for interpolating comprises means responsive to the actual image signals for recognizing image features and deriving therefrom the interpolated image signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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